International Support for China Race Meeting

The first internationally recognized Thoroughbred meeting in mainland China is taking shape as industry leaders from throughout the world pull together to support the China Equine Cultural Festival Sept. 20-21 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

The China Horse Club and Desert Star Holdings jointly announced plans for the meet July 4.

"The China Equine Cultural Festival will be the first internationally endorsed Thoroughbred meeting held in mainland China with support for this event coming from leading owners, industry bodies, and breeders from Australia, France, Ireland, and Singapore," the China Horse Club said in a release.

One of the event's supporters is leading breeder and owner Coolmore, which will supply Thoroughbreds for competition at the two-day meet. Leading owners and breeders from Australia, France, and Ireland also plan to enter horses.

"The selection of Hohhot as a government-preferred venue comes at a time when major equine projects are being announced in the province," the China Horse Club said in a release. "An international standard racecourse and a world-class breeding farm, which will be owned and managed in conjunction with international partners, will be created in this region.

"These major projects will define Hohhot as a Thoroughbred center of excellence across Asia and further reinforce the city as an ideal launching point for the inaugural 2013 China Equine Cultural Festival."